Apparatus for clamping and aligning plates or the like



March 1954 H. M. NEUHAUS APPARATUS FOR CLAMPING AND ALIGNING PLATES OR THE LIKE Filed NOV. 29, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l N Am INVENTOR Herbert M. Neu/vaus.

AT T0 RNEYS ww M fia M March 23, 1955 H. M. NEUHAUS 2,672,839

APPARATUS FOR CLAMPING AND ALIGNING PLATES OR THE LIKE Filed Nov. 29, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTDR Hrbe rt M. Neuhaus.

A ATTORNEYS P tented M 954 APPARATUS FOR CLAMPING AND ALIGNIN G PLATES OR THE LIKE Herbert M. Neuhaus, Santa Monica, Calif. Application November 29, 1948, Serial No. 62,588

(Granted under Title 235,;)U. S. Code (1952),

Claims.

The invention described hereinmay be manufactured and used by or for the Government of theUnited States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

This invention relates to apparatus for clamping and aligning plates or the like, and more particularly to apparatus for clamping and aligning or holdin plates or the like with edges thereof contiguous and aligned in position to be worked upon, e. g. to be welded, brazed, or otherwise joined.

An object of the invention is to, provide apparatus of the class referred to which is of simple and economical construction, and which may be operated effectively by unskilled personnel without special training.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the character stated including clamping members adapted to be positioned on opposite sides of a pair of aligned plates to bridge the contiguous plate edges, and to be held in contact with corresponding faces of the plates by a tension member connecting the clamping members. the tension member being subjected to cumulative increments of tension by a novel and improved force-applying mechanism. A correlative object is to provide, in such an apparatus, clamping members which are adapted to yield or be deflected under the action of the tension member, and to thus exert a restoring force resulting in the application of continued clamping force independently of the elasticity of the tension member.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the kind referred to which is so constructed and arranged that the tension mem-, ber or members may be constituted by discarded or scrap material such as stub ends of welding rods and metal strapping for containers.

Other objects will become apparent from a reading of the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section showing aparatus embodying the invention in use for clamping two plates with edges thereof in contiguous spaced relationship;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the parts shown in Figure 1, drawn on a reduced scale;

Figure .3 is a top plan view of a clamping or bridge device and a tension member included in the apparatus; 5 t

.Figure 4 is an elevational sectional view of a modified form of clamping mechanism;

ship with edges thereof contiguous and parallel;

Figure 9 shows a further modification'by means of which plates of differing thicknesses may be clamped with their contiguous edges aligned; and

Figure 10 is a perspective view illustratingthe application of a plurality of sets of clamping devices to two sheets or plates in position forbeing welded or otherwise joined or worked upon.

Figures 1, 2, and 3 show one preferred form of apparatus embodying the invention as being an accessory or tool adapted for use in aligning and holdin in place two similar sheets, slabs, or plates A and B with their contiguous edges mutually aligned and spaced from each other, e. g., preparatory to the forming of a weld or other joint. In its general nature this form of apparatus includes two clamping members C and D adapted to be placed on opposite sides of the sheetsA and B so as to have clamping andabutting engagement with corresponding faces of the plates. A tension member E extends between the contiguous edges of the plates A and B and through openings and 2 in the members 0 and D; and is adapted to be placed under tension and secured in such condition by a one-way-acting gripper device 3 on the clamping member C and a one-way-acting gripper device 4 on the clamping member D. A force applying element generally designated F is equipped with a one-way-acting ipper 5. v i 1 Considering the mode of operation generally, the clamping parts C and D are positioned :as shown in Figure 1 and the tension member E is anchored in the gripper device 4 of the clamping member D. The member, E is extended through,

the openings 2 and I in the clamping members D and C so as to be engageable by the clamping device 5 on the force applying element, F. The clamping device 3 is so constructed as to enable the tension member E to move relatively upward? ly or away from the clamping device D,,but not tomove in the opposite direction. The construce. tionof theclamping device Sissuchthat it can move downwardly and toward the clamping ously described.

. 3 member C freely with respect to the tension member E, but to grip and hold the rod E when the device 5 moves upwardly. When the parts have been so positioned, the force applying element F is operated to build up tension in the member E, thereby causing the clamping members to press firmly against the plates 'A and-B to hold them in position.

The clamping members, the tension member, and the force applying element may be constructed in numerous diiferentv forms soasztooperate in the general manner set forth'above; In the embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the clamping member C is formedas -a-channel section or open section including legs.66 and a connecting part or bridge IL The clamping member D similarly includes legs 6-6 and a bridge part 1, together formingan open Csection.

The gripping device 4 on the clamping member D comprises a pair of jaws, at least one of which ismovable relatively to' the otherso* as toeffct a clamping grip onthejmember In the form shown one'of the jawscomprises a fixedlug 8 which may be formed integrally with or assem' b'led into the clamping member'D. The other jaw comprises a cam 9 pivoted as' at ID on the member D. The cam -9*'-may be provided with a releasing finger I i by'wl'iichthe cam may. be rocked against the :urge'of a springlZ for'increasing the opening-between the lug 8 and cam 9 to facilitate insertion of the tension member E between 'thejaws" or "removal of the-member E. The lug'dand-cam lmay-be toothed or roughened to any desired; degree-to provide for effective gripping of the-tension' member E, vthe required'roughening of the parts depending upon the characteristics ofthe material of which the tension member E -is formed. Thegripper ion the clamping member C'maycomprise parts identical with those described with reference to the gripper-4.

In accordance with one feature of'theinvention, the tensionor force applying" element F is constructed and arranged with "reference to' the parts C, D, and Eso as to enable building'up by increments of a cumulative clamping 'force by repeated or intermittent operatingmovements of the'memb'er Fj In the form shown; the force applying element F 'comprises'a simple jack-lever having along handle "arm' l3," a 'fulcrum' lug 14 adapted to seat in a depression |"'in theclamp C, and a short arm-l6; The'gripper'device 5 is disposed 'on the short arm I6 and'comprises'a fixed lug II, a cam I8pivoted as'at"l9,"a spring 29 "yieldably urging-the cam 18 to gripping position, and a releasing finger '2 l,the general con structionand arrangement of these clamping parts being similar to the construction and ar-' rangement of the clampingdevices 3 and 4 previ- Th'e' jack-lever "F is formed with an opening 22 through which'thertension element E can be-extended'for being'grasped by the clamping device 5.

In use, the clamping members C and D are positionedas shown inrFigure 'l'with the legs 6 en-v D with respect to the plates. When the clamping members have-been positioned as statedabove, the tension membersis inserted between the fixed lugs :and pivoted cams of thegrippers =3, and

5; as :clearly-shown in' 'Figure- 1. Intermittent channel shape as, previously described.

rocking of the jack-lever F about the fulcrum M will result in the application of increasing tension to the member E. Following each application of additional tension, the gripper device 3 will hold the tension member E so as to maintain it under cumulative tension independently of any continued application of 'for'ceby the *jack-lever F; In fact, the lever F and its associated gripping device 5 may be removed from the clamping member C and tension member E after the desired-tension has been built up in the member E without relieving the clamping force.

An unusual advantage is obtained by forming the clamping members C and D in the open 0 or The bridge portions! of the clamping members are resilient and unsupported except immediately adjacent the legs 6, so that the bridge portions can be deflected or deformed inwardly toward the plates being clamped when tension is applied to member E. The inwardly deflected bridge members 1' constantly'tend to return to their normal or non-deflected positions; andfthis tendency assures that the legs 6"Will maintain constant pressure on'the' plates A and B even though the tension member E might assumea' slightly stretched'or elongated set-condition.

Figures 1 to 3"showthe" tension memberEas comprising a simple round-rod. When the"ap= paratus is used for aligningand'holdihgplateS to be welded, short or stub 'endsof welding rods usually available will serve admirably for" use as the tension member E. It will be understood, however, that'elongatedm'embers of substantially. any' shape and of suflicientlystrong' material may be used.

Figure 4 shows a clamping member' in which" the lug 8 has been replaced byv 'acamfi." The principle of operation is the "same as that described for parts'C and "Din Figures 1 to 3.

Figures 5 and "6 show a-'modified"clampin 'ap-' paratus especiallyadapted" for use in clamping:

and holding plates under such-conditions that it is not possible or convenient to apply a clamp= ing member, such as the' member D, to 'one side of, for" example, under the platesAandfB; In this construction a single 'C-shaped clamping member C is bridged acrosstheplates A'and 'B on'one side, say theupper side'thereof, and a' special tension member E 'is used in place of the simple tension member previously" de-* scribed The member E -comprisesa shank23' and 'a unitarily formed abutment means 24i-24: providing a T-shaped'element Whichperforms' the functions of the two parts E and Dshown' in Figure 1f The'crosspart 24'-24 ofthe'T- element E is sufiiciently thin to be passed between the contiguous edges of the sheets A'and B when disposed parallel of theirxedges. In'use;

the cross part 2l24is' first turned at to the" position shown in Figure 5; and is then inserted downwardly and turned to the Figure 5 position so as to bridgebr'span' the space'between' the plates A and B. Thereafter, the clamping device C is applied in the manner previous1ydescribed;

In this form thetensiommem'ber' 'E compri's'es ashank 25 which is welded or otherwise joined "in' a unitary way toan" abutment; for example-as an 5 I-beam 28, a portion of which is "shown in Figure '7.

The modification shown in Figure 8 is especially suited for holding plates A and B at an angle to each other. In this embodiment the upper clamp C is the same as the clamp 0 shown in Figure 1 with the exception that the ends of its legs 6-6 are rounded as at 21. The lower clamp D has legs Whose plate-engaging faces 28-28 are formed at an angle to each other corresponding to the angle at which the plates A and B are to be clamped. Clamps such as the clamp D but formed with plate-engaging faces of different mutual angularity, may be provided according to the nature of the work to be performed; However, a single clamp, such as the clamp C shown in Figure 8 with the rounded leg ends 21, can cooperate effectively with clamping members D having their faces 2828 at different angles. The clamp C is shown with rounded leg ends. It may also have legs faced to mate with faces 2B-28 of clamp D".

Figure 8 illustrates the use of a tension member E for the dual purpose of gauging the space between the contiguous edges of the plates A and B, and cooperating with the clamping members C and D for holding the plates in predetermined positions. Tension members of properly selected size may be used similarly for this dual purpose in connection with the apparatus disclosed in the other figures of the drawings.

Figure 9 illustrates how plates A and B of different thicknesses may be clamped in aligned position. This may be facilitated by a slight rounding of the edges of the plate-engaging faces of the clamping member C.

In practicing my improved method, the plates to be welded or otherwise joined are placed in substantially abutting relationship and a tension member, e. g. a rod, is extended between the contiguous plate edges and is attached to resilient clamping bridges bearing against opposite faces of the plates. Tension is developed in the rod by restraining lessening of tension while adding increments of tension by applying intermittent force to the rod and the clamping bridges.

In forming a joint between two plates, such as by welding, a plurality of pairs of clamping devices C and D and associated tensioning members E may be positioned at spaced points along the contiguous edges of the sheets as indicated in Figure 10. The jack-lever F may then be successively applied to the pairs of clamping devices and tension members E until all of the clamping devices are held firmly against the plates A and B. The weld may then be formed along the joint and between the pairs of clamping devices, after which the clamping devices are removed and the remaining part of the joint is then finally welded. In some instances, the clamping devices may be removed as welding or joining operation progresses.

The apparatus shown and method described are preferred, but changes may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. A clamping device for holding plate members with edges thereof mutually aligned and contiguous, comprising a pair of clamping bridges, each having an elongated, resilient arch terminating at opposite ends in spaced faces for hearing on corresponding surfaces of respective plate members, a tension member for connecting the arches of the bridges between the edges of the plates to be joined, each bridge also havinga fixed lug member and an eccentrically pivoted gripping cam cooperating with the fixed lug member to grip the tension member when it is forced between the lug and the cam to permit the tension member to enter but to prevent movement tending to withdraw the tension member, a jacklever comprising a lever arm, a fulcrum and gripping members for grasping the tension member, the fulcrum bearing on the resilient arch of one of said bridges, so that intermittent lever action against said bridge pulls the tension member farther and farther through the gripping cam and lug members of said bridge, increasing tension in the tension member, whereby the bridges are clamped firmlyj against opposite sides of the plate members. 2. A welding accessory for holding metal plates in adjoining relationship during welding operations comprising a rod, bracing means connected to the rod and bearing against one surface of each of the plates, an elongated, resilient bridge having faces at its opposite extremities bearing against the other surface of each of the plates, one-way acting gripping members attached to the bridge and cooperating with the rod to hold the bridge firmly against the other surface of each of the plates, one of said gripping members being eccentrically pivoted on said bridge, and a jack-lever having a fulcrum projection bearing on the bridge and having unidirectional gripping members for gripping the rod, whereby the bridge may be forced into position to exert a strong resilient tension through the rod against said bracing means.

3. Apparatus for clamping plates with edges thereof mutually aligned and contiguous, comprising a tension member adapted to extend between the contiguous edges of said plates; abut ment means connected to said tension member and being adapted to bear against corresponding faces of said plates; a bridge spanning said plates and having spaced feet respectively adapted to bear against the other faces of said plates; an intermittently operable element having integral unidirectional gripping members coacting with said tension member for subjecting said tension member to cumulative increments of tension; and one-way gripping members mounted on said bridge for gripping said tension member following each operation of said element to maintain said tension member under the accumulated tension.

4. Apparatus for clamping plates with edges thereof mutually aligned and contiguous, comprising a tension member adapted to extend between the contiguous edges of said plates; abutment means connected to said tension member and being adapted to bear against corresponding faces of said plates; a bridge spanning said plates and having spaced feet respectively adapted to bear against the opposite faces of said plates; tension applying means for pulling on said tension member in a direction away from said abutment means to create tension in said member between said abutment means and said bridge; and a pair of jaws on said bridge and between which said tension member extends, at least one of said jaws comprising a cam movably mounted on said bridge and so related to the other of said jaws as to enable the tension member to move through said jaws toward said tension applying means but not reversely.

5. Apparatus for clamping plates with edges thereof mutually aligned and contiguous, com- 7 prising a tension member adapted to extend between the contiguous edges of said plates; a first bridge-spanning said plates ;and having spaced feet, respectively adaptedto bear against corresponding faces of said plates; one-way gripping members, secured to said first bridge for securing the tension member thereto; a second bridge spanning said plates and having spaced feet, respectively adapted to bearagainst the other faces of said plates; tension applying lever means having unidirectional gripping members and positioned on said second bridge for pulling on said tension member ma direction away from said first bridge to create tension in said member between said first b'ridge and said second bridge;

'and a gripping device on} said second bridge engageable with said tension member for maintain-- ing thelatter under the tensioncreatedbysaid i References Cited in the file of this patent" UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 359,168 Miller Mar. 8, 1887 877,321 Gebler Jan. 21, 1908 903,818 Herth Nov. 10, 1908- 1,132,052 Wattman May'16, 1915 1,191,547 Wiedeman July 18, 1916' 1,798,190 Carter Mar. 31', 1931 2,359,530 Rose Oct. 3, 1944, 2,376,604 Lathrop May 22, 1945 9 2,376,957 Buckley 1 May 29, I945; 

